Orthopaedic Residency Program Faculty

Shelly Tyler

Shelly Tyler, DPT, COMT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Physical Therapist, Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer, and Residency Program Director

sr85@evansville.edu

Shelly, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, graduated from UE in 2010 with her Doctor in Physical Therapy. Following graduation, she completed her Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (COMT) through the Ola Grimsby Institute and became a board-certified Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) in 2013. In 2016, Shelly graduated from Regis University as Owensboro's first and only Fellow of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.

Shelly is certified in Level 1 and 2 Functional Dry Needling, Functional Movement Systems, the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance Testing. Shelly is also Level 1 Certified for Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation with the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and incorporates this training with a movements system to optimize movement for female athletes. She is a credentialed clinical instructor through the APTA and teaches as an adjunct professor at UE. Shelly is a founder and co-owner of Rehabilitation & Performance Institute and initiated the first class of Rehabilitation & Performance Institute, PSC and the UE's Orthopaedic Residency Program in 2018.
Tanea St. Ledger

Tanea St. Ledger, DPT, COMT, OCS, CIRS

Physical Therapist, Clinic Director, Program Coordinator

Tanea, a native of Albion, IL, graduated from University of Evansville in 2008 with her Bachelors in Exercise Science and in 2011 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of Evansville. She completed her Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (COMT) through the Ola Grimsby Institute in 2014 and obtained her Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) board certification in 2014. She also completed training to become a Certified Industrial Rehabilitation Specialist (CIRS) in 2015.

Tanea is certified in Level 1 and 2 Functional Dry Needling, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance Testing. She is also a credentialed clinical instructor through the APTA. She also enjoys treating individuals with vestibular dysfunction and athletic injuries.

Tanea is married to Edwards County States Attorney, Eric St Ledger, who is also an Albion native. They have four horses which are often treated as children. In her spare time, Tanea enjoys horseback riding, water skiing/wakeboarding, snow skiing, camping, running and spending time with friends.
Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer

Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS

(she/her/hers)

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education

Room 3013, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2453
ks148@evansville.edu

Dr. Schwartzkopf-Phifer teaches within the research, cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal areas of the DPT program. She received her Bachelor and Master of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of Evansville and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University. She completed an orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion and is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky, with a specialization in motor control. Her research interests are in injury prediction and prevention, and performance in athletes. Dr. Schwartzkopf-Phifer remains actively engaged in inpatient care at Rehabilitation & Performance Institute, PSC (RPI) in Newburgh, IN, where she also serves as a faculty member in the RPI and University of Evansville Orthopedic Residency Program.
Craig Phifer

Craig Phifer, PT, MHA

President/CEO Rehabilitation & Performance Institute

Craig is the President/CEO of Rehabilitation & Performance Institute (RPI), an outpatient physical therapy practice with offices in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. He is a 2007 graduate of the UE Physical Therapy program and a 2010 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana Master of Health Administration program. Craig serves as a faculty member in the RPI-UE Orthopedic Residency program. He is the Assistant Managing Editor of Impact – the magazine of the Private Practice Section of the APTA. Craig also serves as a Private Practice Section Key Contact for legislators in the southern Indiana area. In addition, Craig helps mentor and coach private practice physical therapists through the Private Practice Rebellion.
John Mark Tyler

John Mark Tyler, DC

Chiropractor, Personal Trainer, Clinic Director, Teaching Faculty

John Mark was born in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2003, he found his way to the University of Evansville where he pursued his college soccer career and undergraduate degree. In 2011, John Mark then graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, MO.

John Mark has a passion for sports performance and family wellness. He enjoys being able to incorporate therapeutic exercise and nutritional counseling into his treatment sessions with patients. John Mark is Graston Level 1 Certified, Level 1 Certified in Functional Dry Needling, is a Certified Personal Trainer by the NCCA, and is a Certified Level 1 Crossfit Coach.

He enjoys staying active, snow skiing, teaching fitness classes, and being with his family. He is married to Shelly Tyler. They are able to combine their passions into one organization and make an impact on the Owensboro community.